Tire inflater



May 19, 1936. MQQDY 2,040,868

' TIRE INFLATER I Filed Jan. 25, 1933 a v M 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 19, 1936.

K M. MOODY TIRE INFLATER Filed Jan. 23, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 19, 1936 UNITED PATENT OFFIFCE 'lfit'lil iNFLATER Kenneth Moody, hieege, Ili. Anplieiiiinn January 23, 1933; Serial No. 653,269

' 8 Claims. (01. 152-113) This invention relates t0 ran inflatin a tire or ihe ike andeeaeiing means associate therewith for determin ng the pressure iri the tire. While s i e i com ined inflating and gauge devices have heretofore beehiimiaosed fori'ise' at the end of the ali'r supply hose,- tliey have; usually been either too complicated in" too fragile for such urpose. when such aevieee are arranged. at the endof the nose for irect applichtioiit'o the tires, they are usliailly islibjected to ere 01 less careless use and unless rugged and s'uloistantiall in construction arenbtadipteil for erdin'ar'y commercial purposes.

The objects of this iny'eh'tion' "are" toflprd'yide 'aii improved tire inflate'r haying a gauge for indicat ing the pressure in the tire, which will b'si'inple in construction and durable and effi'c'ier t'i'fi use; to provide' a device (if this ene'iezetei in which standard tire al e insides; standard chucks and standard gauges ma'y beus'd' eiiclusiv'ely dr-tothe fullest possible extent; to pi Vide a1 deyic'e' of the character indicated ie'i mou ti g and clarn ping together the tire gauge and other sta nerd-parts in operative relation for the purposesi iidicated'; to provide means whereby different types of Chucks, valves and gauges such as the Sbhfeidl and Dill, may be used nterc angea lyi {the same structure; to pievide means-Tar mounting an air gauge in co b p'eratiy relation tire inflater mechanism whereny the gauge win be fully rotecte -in provi e a device or kind which may ber'eadiiy manipulated with orie'hand; and to provide such other advantages and nove features as will appear more-p r'ticiilaily fr m the following aeseiip ien taken eenneeiin'n with the accompanying drawings.

In these drawings, I

Figure 1' is'a top plan away or shown in section;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal view taken on the line 2+2 of Figure 1 showing one half of the casing removed and other part siiown in section Figure 3'-is a detail showing the position of the clamp for clamping a, Dil1 chuck at the inlet;

Figure 4 is a cross section takenon the line 4 4 ofFigureZ; H

Figure 5 is a; side v ew with parts reke'n away to show a modified construction; and v Figure 6 is an. enlarged sectional detail of the movable opei'ating member and valves carried thereby. v V I v t I W In the particular form of the: invention shown in these drawings, 15. b1i't housing or casing comprising right and lefthand complementary sections 8 and 9; respectively. These sections are view parts broken secured together inanyconvenient manner as by means of screws or bolts 10. This casing is somewhat irijhe form of a; pistol with a; grip simulating" portion at one" end which is at an angle to the axis of the main po'rtion; Recesses or substantially semi-spherical cavities are formed in the side pieces which provide achuck cavity or chamber II' at the inlet end to receive a chuck [2 on the end of a' supply hose I3 from any suitable supply of air under pressure. shown in Figure 2, the chuck .12 is of the Schraderf type and is securely fastened in posi non by a; curved plate [4 having slots I5 in the sides thereof through which extendscr'ews l6 for securing the plate to the housing. One end of the plate bifurcated or provided with a recess I1 which fits over the heel; of the chuck [2 as shown paftieularly i r'iFigu re 2; in order to hold the chuck securely in ther'ce'ss of chamber ll} When 'a chuck I261 of the Dill type is used on The casing l lia'sanoth'ei' cavity or chamber l8 adjacent wine chuck chamber H, for receiv-.

ing the controlling or actuating devices. A1101- low bddy or cylin er l9 is movably mounted in the chamber [8 and carries the valve operating ene aii'i transferring devices. A tubezo'; which maybe a tire vaii e tube gi'the like, is mounted in the body l9 its open end 21 in juxtaposition orelig'nfnnt with the open end of the air chuckflz a shown in Figure 6. This" tube is provided the'iisfiitl be standard air vailvefline device esw 'n fach s cbn ca it es 15 ng e'p dse'd to: i ina au e chain.- ber a l ie r reeeivinfg e gauge 32 which be or an welhknpwn stein-am typej sug i as" a .Selir rft ifp l h .6 l Y Q being of the Dill t ne, in whi h numerals fnected with a tube 49 which carries a chuck or of the indicating member may be seen through a window or opening 33 in the side of the gauge cylinder. The gauge is provided with a chuck or 1 connecting member 34 which has its face oropening 35 at a slight angle to the axis of the gauge. Another tube 36 which is similar to a tire filling tube'or nipple extends through and is secured to the hollow body or cylinder l9. The open end 31 of this tube is adapted to coact with the chuck or connecting member 34 of the gauge. This tube is arranged to receive and is provided with standard valve insides 38 such. as the Schrader or Dill having a valve stem 39 which is adapted to be actuated by the pin 40 in the chuck 34. The

tube 36 is closed at its other end but has access to the hollow body l9 through'openings 4| in alignment'with the opening 25. .The housing 1 has bearings 42 and 43 for the projecting ends of the tube 36. It will be noted that the tube 36 is at right angles to the face or open end 35' of the chuck 34 which accounts for the angular portion of' the housing which is arranged to accommodate such tube and coasting parts and place them in operative relation with the gauge and the chuck of the supply tube. It will therefore be apparent that if the opening in the air gauge is at. a different angle, the parts would be arranged have semi-cylindrical cavities running lengthwise thereof to form a chamber 46 which is substantially parallel with the chamber 3! and which is adapted to enclose portions of the air' conducting devices. In the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2, a short hose 41 is connected by means of a swivel connection 48'with the hollow body I9. The opposite end of the hose is connozzle 50 'for making connection with the tire .filling tube. "The tube 49 is rotatably mounted in a sleeve 5! and its longitudinal movement therein'is limited by the connecting members at each end thereof. The sleeve 5| is clamped between the end'portions of the housing and is further held against movement by means of a pin or projection 52 in the side of the housing which engages with asuitable hole or recess in the side of the sleeve. 7

While the form shown in'Figures l and 2 is particularly intended for use with one hand I have also shown a modification in Figure 5 which is adapted to be used with two hands. In this form the hose 4'lais connected to'the movable body member l9 by means-of a swivel connection 48m and extends out from the chamber 46 any suitable distance and has the tire filler chuck or .n'ozzle 5011. connected directly therewith. I

l When a tire is to be filled by means of the device particularly shown in Figures 1 and 2, the operator grasps the-housing in one hand and presses the chuck or nozzle 50 onto the tire filler tube or valve stem in the usual manner which causes the tire valve and the chuck valve to be opened thereby permitting air to enter the hollow body l9 through the hose .41 and connected parts. In the normal position of the hollow body, the valve tube 36 is pressed against the chuck or connecting member 34 of the gauge which depresses the valve stem 39 and leaves a free passageway from the body into the gauge, thus causing the gauge to indicate the pressure in the tire. In this connection it will be noted that when a Schrader gauge is used the chamber and adjacent portions of the housing tend to protect the gauge when the recording member is in projected position as well as in retracted position.

If the user desires more air he presses down on the handle or lever 29 which causes the hollow body I9 and connected parts to move downwardly so that the tube 36 is disengaged from the gauge and the valve therein is closed. The downair supply hose [3 to enter the body or cylinder I9 from whence it passes through the hose 4'! and connected parts into the tire. At anytime it is desired to determine the tire pressure the handle 29 is released and the movable parts returned to normal position under the action of the spring 44 thereby again establishing connection with the gauge. The operation of the form shown in Figure 5 is substantially the same ex-,- cept that the hose 41a is preferably of convenient length so that one hand is used vfor applying thechuck 50a and the other hand is used for manipulating the inflater in the manner above described. It will be particularly noted that with this form the swivel 48a for the hose is at its inner end and the swivel and adjacent parts of the hose are fully protected from the weather while the chuck may be conveniently manipulated for making connec: tion with the tire. 1

From this description it will be seen that I provide a simple and convenient method of assembling and utilizing various standard parts or -instruments such as tire gauges, valves and chucks for use in-a tire inflater whereby repairs may be readily made. Furthermore, the device is rugged and substantial in construction so that it is adapted to be used out of doors where it is subjected to adverse weather conditions as well as more or less rough usage. a

While I have illustrated preferred forms of my invention, it will be observed that changes may be made in the construction thereof or in the arrangement of the parts in order to adapt it for difierent instruments or conditions, without departing irom the scope of my invention. Having thus described the same, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

l. A combined tire inflater and gauge comprising a sectional casing formed of two similar complementary sections and having a plurality of cavities therein, means for holding the sections together, a tire gauge mounted in one of said cavities and securely held in the casing, a chuck mounted'in another of said cavities in said casing and connected with a source of air supply, a holtherefrom when said member is moved from normal position, a tube having a valve therein for operatively connecting the hollow member with the chuck when said member is moved'fro m normal position, and disconnecting the same there- '-from when the member is, in normal position, a

lever for actuating said hollow member, a spring for holding the member in normal position, and a conduit leading from said member outwardly through another of said cavities and adapted to be connected with a tire or the like.

2. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a casing formed of two similar halves and providing a plurality of chambers therein, a pressure gauge mounted in one of said chambers and extending therefrom to expose the indicating portion, a chuck mounted in one of said chambers, detachable means for holding the chuck in the chamber, a hollow body movably mounted in another of said chambers, two tire valve tubes engaging with said hollow body and having openings into the same, bearings for said tubes whereby the body may be reciprocated, a spring tending to hold the body in normal position, a lever pivoted to the casing and adapted to engage with one of said tubes to move the body from normal position, a valve mounted in the last named tube and adapted to coact with the chuck for making and breaking connections therewith, a valve in the other tube adapted to coact with the gauge for making and breaking connections therewith, a hose connected with said hollow body and extending out through another chamber in the casing, and means at the end of the hose for connecting the same with an article to be inflated.

3. A tire inflater comprising a split casing having a longitudinal chamber therein, a sleeve secured in one end of said chamber, a tube rotatably mounted in the sleeve, a chuck at the outer end of the tube, a hollow body mounted in the chamber at the opposite end of the casing and arranged at an angle to the first named chamber, a flexible tube connecting the first named tube and hollow body, a pressure gauge chamber arranged in the casing parallel to the first named chamber, a pressure gauge mounted in the last named chamber with its inlet end adjacent to the hollow body, a tube connected with the hollow body and arranged at right angles to the inlet face of the gauge, a valve in said tube adapted to coact with the inlet portion of the gauge, a spring mounted on the tube and tending to hold the body in raised position, a second tube connected with the body and arranged parallel to the first named tube, a lever pivotally mounted on the casing and adapted to coact with the last named tube for moving the body downwardly, a chuck mounted in the casing with its opening in alignment with one end of the last named tube, a valve in the end of the last named tube adapted to coact with the chuck, and a connection from said chuck to a source of air supply.

4. A tire inflating device of the character set forth, including a longitudinally split sectional casing having a gauge recess therein adapted to receive and support a complete tire gauge having an indicating member movable in and out of the end of the gauge, means for fastening the casing sections together to hold the gauge, said casing also having outwardly projecting side walls adapted to protect the indicating member of the gauge when in projected or retracted position.

5. A device of the character set forth, comprising a two-part casing having complementary sections, each section having a substantially semicylindrical cavity running lengthwise thereof and having shorter similar shaped cavities adjacent to the first named cavities and parallel thereto for receiving and holding a tire gauge, said sections also having oppositely disposed cavities adjacent the ends of the first named cavities for receiving a hollow shiftable member, the axis of which is at an acute angle to the axes of the first named cavities, said sections also having substantially semi-spherical cavities communicating with the last named cavities and adapted to receive and hold a hose chuck therein and means coacting with the sections for holding a chuck in said last named cavities.

6. A tire inflating device of the character set forth including a casing formed in two complementary sections with opposed cavities forming a gauge chamber therein, a complete tire gauge having an indicating member movable in and out of the end of the gauge mounted in said chamber, means for fastening the casing sections together to fasten the gauge in said chamber, an air supply hose chuck secured in a chamber in one end of the casing, a hollow body movably mounted in a chamber in the casing, a tube having a valve therein for operatively connecting the hollow body with the gauge when the hollow body is in normal position and disconnecting the same therefrom and closing the passageway through the tube when said body is moved from normal position, a tube having a valve therein for making a connection between the hollow body and said chuck when said body is moved from normal position and closing the passageway through the tube when the body is in normal position, manually operable means for moving said hollow body, a spring tending to hold said body in normal position, a hose having a swivel connection with the hollow body, a tube connected with the outer end of the hose, a chuck secured to the tube, and a bearing in the casing for the tube.

7. A tire inflating device of the character set forth, including a longitudinally split casing formed of complementary sections with opposed cavities providing a gauge chamber therein, a complete tire gauge mounted in said chamber, said casing also having outwardly projecting walls adapted to protect portions of the gauge, a hose chuck secured in a cavity in one end of the casing, a hollow member slidably mounted in a chamber in the casing, a tube having a valve therein for operatively connecting the hollow member with the gauge when the hollow member is in normal position and disconnecting the same therefrom when said member is'moved from normal position, a tube having a valve therein for operatively connecting the hollow member with the chuck when said member is moved from normal position and disconnecting the same therefrom when the member is in normal position, a lever for actuating said hollow member, a spring for holding the member in normal position, and a conduit leading from said hollow member com prising a flexible hose having a swivel connection with the hollow member and extending out through a chamber in the casing which is adapted to protect the swivel connection, and a chuck at the outer end of the hose for connecting the same to a tire valve.

8. A tire inflating device of the character set forth, including a casing having a spherically shaped cavity in one end adapted to receive and partially embrace the large ends of different types of chucks and having a slot for receiving the stems of certain types of chucks, a reversible curved plate having a recess in one end and substantially straight across the other end for engagement with chucks of different types, and means for slidably and reversibly securing the plate to the casing.

KENNETH M. MOODY. 

